Bicycle flexible joint

Abstract

A flexible joint for a vehicle frame having at least two (2) frame members. The flexible joint comprises a resilient, flexible member defining a longitudinal axis. Attached to the flexible member is a pair of adaptor members. The adaptor members are attachable to respective ones of the frame members such that the flexible member extends between and interconnects the frame members in a manner wherein the resilient bending of the flexible member along its longitudinal axis facilitates the pivotal movement of one of the frame members relative to the other of the frame members. The flexible member is further adapted to resist torsional movement along its longitudinal axis.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A flexible joint for a vehicle frame having at least two frame members, the flexible joint comprising: a flexible member configured as a generally rectangular plate and constructed from a resilient material, the flexible member defining a longitudinal axis and having a pair of longitudinal sides and a pair of lateral sides which define opposed ends;   a pair of adaptor members attached to respective ones of the opposed ends of the flexible member, each of the adaptor members comprising: a body portion defining a body axis and having opposed ends, the body portion further including a pair of juxtaposed sections which each define a generally planar wall;   a slot extending laterally through one of the ends of the body portion and including a narrow region which transitions into an enlarged region, the narrow region of the slot being defined by the walls of the juxtaposed sections of the body portion thereof, the enlarged region of the slot having a generally circular configuration defined by an arcuate inner wall of the body portion, the enlarged region of the slot further defining an axis which extends in generally perpendicular relation to the body axis of the body portion, the enlarged portion of the slot being sized to allow for the flexion of the juxtaposed sections of the body portion away from each other;   the adaptor members being attached to the flexible member such that the opposed ends of the flexible member reside within respective ones of the enlarged regions of the slots and the body axes of the body portions are substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the flexible member, the adaptor members being attachable to respective ones of the frame members such that the flexible member extends between and interconnects the frame members in a manner wherein the resilient bending of the flexible member along the longitudinal axis facilitates pivotal movement of one of the frame members relative to the other of the frame members, the flexible member being adapted to resist torsional movement along the longitudinal axis, and the flexible member being sized relative to the slot of each of the adaptor members such that the juxtaposed sections thereof must be flexed away from each other to facilitate the incision of the flexible member into the slot.     
     
     
       2. The flexible joint of claim 1 wherein: the body portion of each of the adaptor members has an outer surface including a plurality of splines formed thereon and extending longitudinally therealong, each of the splines defining an outer edge; and   the plate is sized relative to the adaptor members such that the longitudinal sides of the plate do not protrude beyond the outer edges of the splines.   
     
     
       3. The flexible joint of claim 1 wherein: the opposed ends of the plate are secured to respective ones of the arcuate inner walls through the use of an adhesive; and   portions of the plate adjacent the opposed ends thereof are secured to the walls of respective pairs of the juxtaposed sections through the use of an adhesive.   
     
     
       4. The flexible joint of claim 1 wherein the flexible member is fabricated from a composite material. 
     
     
       5. The flexible joint of claim 4 wherein the flexible member is fabricated from a fiber reinforced composite material. 
     
     
       6. The flexible joint of claim 1 wherein the body portion of each of the adaptor members has a generally cylindrical configuration. 
     
     
       7. The flexible joint of claim 1 wherein the adaptor members are each fabricated from a metal material. 
     
     
       8. The flexible joint of claim 7 wherein the adaptor members are each fabricated from aluminum.